Connecting the dots

Despite recognition of official online sources, social networking sites have the most influence among Arab bloggers. Of the top-10 sites linked to the most, half are the same Web 2.0 user-generated content sites popular in the US and globally. Youtube.com is at the top of the list, with twice as many links as English Wikipedia, which is ranked second. Flickr.com and digg.com also made it to the top 10. Beyond the top 10, national and cluster-specific links are the most common.

In general, the formation of nation-based clusters, where networks of bloggers connect with fellow citizens, is a key finding in this research. It reflects the reality of political and economic life, being rooted primarily in national and local affairs. These bridges and subtle connections create opportunities for a more targeted communications strategy.